Graduate Research Assistant

• Jan 2019 - Present

Project Management - Designed, built, and commissioned an instrumented Automated Fiber Placement Simulator. The system is essentially a heavy-duty gantry-based 3D printer that precisely places raw carbon fiber composite strips on tooling in a highly controlled fashion. - Managed a 60K CAD equipment budget, ensuring timely sourcing, building, and project delivery within constraints. Control Panel & Control Software - Sized electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, residual current breakers, SCRs, contactors, relays, switches, and wires based on Electrical Code (CSA C22.1) to satisfy system specifications. - Designed and built a control panel per OEM specifications, Electrical Codes (CSA C22.2 NO. 286-17, UL 508A). - Secured CSA SPE-1000 certification for control panel field commissioning. - Performed electrical and control commissioning of various Beckhoff PLC Modules (motor drives, load cell modules, and other analog and digital I/O) and Festo VFDs in TwinCAT Environment. - Developed Structured Text PLC programs to control various system functions, including synchronized motion (up to 1.2 m/s), pneumatic cylinder with controllable air pressure up to 6 bar (equiv. 500 N force). - Implemented PID for tooling temperature control (22 to 60 C with ±0.8 C tolerance) using heat blankets. - Developed HMI programs for operator control. Mechanical Engineering - Estimated load cases, analyzed force/stress, and estimated life for load-bearing system components. - Sized linear actuators and motors to construct a 2D gantry. - Created CAD models, technical drawings for custom part manufacture, and assembled the final system. Materials Engineering - Created advanced Abaqus models for AFP deposition process simulation. - Developed novel methods to measure material tack. Successful implementation of the designed system allows us to characterize material tack simulating actual process conditions. - Created Python programs for data analysis and documentation automation. Show less

Graduate Academic Assistant (Mechanical Engineering Department)

• May 2022 - Apr 2023

- Implemented and commissioned a relational database (MySQL) and Historian systems (Kepware and VT Scada) to ensure data collection and storage for manufacturing processes.- Contributed to the development of a Python library and LabVIEW VIs for effective database communication.- Proposed and successfully implemented Odoo open-source ERP/MES system, to be integrated as a part of the manufacturing curriculum.- Produced proposals, comprehensive documentation, user manuals, course content, and video tutorials to facilitate user understanding and efficient use of the systems.- Developed two new course syllabi on Data in Manufacturing topics, addressing existing gaps in Manufacturing Curriculum.- Co-supervised an undergraduate academic assistant, overseeing technical development projects. Show less

Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Sep 2019 - Apr 2023

Supported student learning in: - Composite Materials (MTRL 494) - Manufacturing Processes (MANU 380) - Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory (MANU 230) - Manufacturing Engineering Project (MANU 330) - Solid Mechanics (CIVL 230)

Graduate Research Assistant

• Sep 2016 - Dec 2018